Pub owners say plan for new homes is 'critical'

A development of new homes is "critical" to help sustain a village pub, its owners have told councillors.

Plans were considered by South Cambridgeshire District Council on Wednesday for eight new houses behind The British Queen pub in Meldreth, near Royston.

The Local Democratic Reporting Service (LDRS) said a representative for the pub's owners claimed the plans were "critical for sustaining The British Queen", which was "struggling to stay afloat".

The applicant said funds raised from the development would be invested into expanding the facilities at the pub.

Councillors were told money generated by the proposal would be used to create an onsite cafe, public toilets and EV charging facilities.

The application submitted to the district council asked for permission to build eight new self-build and custom-build homes.

At a meeting on Wednesday, the council's planning committee and the applicant agreed to defer approving or rejecting the plans, in order for issues around the application to be amended.

Planning officers had initially recommended the application should be refused as "insufficient information" had been provided.

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